Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Nils August Lundvall, who devotes his time and energies to the conduct of a drug store at Sioux Rapids and displays keen discrimination in the management of his business affairs, was born June 20, 1864, at Oscarshamn, Sweden, his parents being J. P. and Christina Caroline Lundvall.  The father was a dyer by trade and is still living in Sweden at the advanced age of eighty-six years. The mother died in that country in 1902 when sixty-seven years of age. The children of their family were as follows: Alida, the wife of Oscar Lundvall, a resident of Boone, Iowa; A. P. who married Emily Erickson and is a resident of Boxholm, near Boone, Iowa; Marie, the wife of G. E. Olsen, living at Rockford, Illinois; and J. H., who married Sophia Swanson and made his home in Sweden. He was a sea captain who had followed that life for thirty-six years and died at sea in 1898. Three other children of the family died in infancy.

Reared in the land of his nativity, N. A. Lundvall entered upon a three years' apprenticeship when sixteen years of age. He was in his nineteenth year when in 1882 he sought a home in the new world attracted by the land of promise of which he had heard such favorable reports. The vessel in which he sailed dropped anchor in New York harbor and he soon after made his way to New Britain, Connecticut, where he remained for two years. When he decided to go to the middle west and made his way to Dayton, Webster county, Iowa. After a short period there passed he removed to St. Peters, Minnesota. He was well educated in his own language but found it was like commencing his education all over again to master the English tongue with all of its intricacies of grammar and pronunciation.  At St. Peters, however, he entered upon a course of study in English. About a year later he returned to Dayton, Iowa, where he engaged as a clerk in a drug store, filling the position for about a year and a half after which he occupied similar positions at Carroll, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1890 Mr. Lundvall arrived in Sioux Rapids, where he engaged in clerking for about six months in the drug store of Nordstrom and Company. He then bought an interesting the business and the firm name was changed to Lundvall and Company, under which style was conducted until 1899 when Mr. Nordstrom sold his interest to Mr. Ebersole. The firm then became Lundvall and Ebersole and conducted business until 1902, when the junior partner sold his interest to Mr. Steen, who some time later disposed of his interest to William Leighton, the firm name of William Leighton and Company being then adopted. Mr. Lundvall, however, continued as manager for that firm.

On the 7th of April, 1896, occurred the marriage of Mr. Lundvall and Miss Agnes E. Leighton, a daughter of Charles and Isabelle Leighton, both natives of Scotland, whence they came to America at an early day. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Lundvall: Charles John, Marjory Adah, and Isabel Caroline.

Mr. and Mrs. Lundvall are prominent in the community, having an extensive circle of warm friends. He is a member of Enterprise Lodge, No. 332, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees. He likewise belongs to the Sioux Rapids Camp, No. 288, M. W. A. He came to America empty handed but determination stood him instead of capital and upon the foundation of his own industry and perseverance he has built his success. He is now well known in Sioux Rapids and a genial manner, courteous disposition and deference for the opinions of others have made him popular with his fellow townsman.